A few F-75 observations... (potentially long)

[Mark in NC]

I thought I'd post a few of my initial F75 first impressions and hunting observations. Please keep in mind, these are MY opinions (mileage may vary for others). This is also coming from the perspective of a person who has never used a T-2 (so can't help you on those comparisons). I am however a longtime Fisher user, but have also been known to swing: Garrett Master Hunter ADS 3, Nautilus DMC 2b, Toltec 100, Explorer XS, Tejon, Sov, Stingray, etc. (well, you get the picture ) (detector junkie). I'm going to just throw these up as a list....

>brilliant ergonomics! (from the superb balance to the slight curve of the handle... effortless to swing all day)

>build quality is very good. Much better than it appears in photographs.

>User interface is nothing short of inspired! Most all changes are done with a simple combination of a button push and then a knob rotation. Everything "feels" like it's right at your fingertips and easy to access. This is the easiest menu system I've ever used. Feels almost like a old "knob" type detector, but with the benefits of digital technology.

>Nice comfort touches like resilient foam pads under the control housing

>The searchcoil fins look better in person

>Processor speed and target separation are great! For me, I feel very "connected" to the ground with the instant feedback...

>More power than I can use. I like that! For the same reason some folks like hotrods with way more juice than they can ever use (legally) on the street. You can crank up the F-75 in locations that allow and give the worms sunburn

>very accurate target ID system. When comparing with other ID systems, I've been impressed with it's accuracy. I love the wide spread in the upper conductor area.

>Easy ground balance (or manual if you prefer)

>I, without any doubt, love the trigger! A trigger pinpoint system is my favorite way to go, and the F75's is outstanding

>pinpointing in and of itself is great. Very easy to size targets.. and unlike most DD type coils, this one seems to have a "hot spot" in the center, making pinpointing a snap.

>I like being able to crank up the disc., yet notch back in desired targets (ie:nickels)

>I also like being able to notch out ZINCS!!

>backlight is cool

I'll save the opinions on the audio modes and processes for later.

What don't I like you ask? Well, if you're still reading this far down, I guess you deserve to know.

>I wish it shipped with a coil cover (whether I would use it or not)

> and.... well that's all I can think of right now...

HH'n

Mark in NC

 

[Treasure-Hunter]

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[Bill Ladd]

You brought up alot of points I had not thought of or touched on. I think NOT having a T2 background is a good thing. You had a fresh/different persepective, while everyone wanted me to do all T2 side by sides....
I had lemented for years that I really missed having a trigger, & the FASTgrab ground balancing with the trigger is a snap! (plus having the message box like "can't GB" is great too). Keep the reports coming...
HH,
Bill

 

[Mark in NC]

I remember reading where Mike Hillis said he "clicked" with this detector. I know what he means! It's hard to put into words, but for me (notice I said "ME")... it just "feels right". It's one of those things where when you pick it up, I already think, "well, here's my old friend". Comfortable, natural, at ease... I think that sums it up pretty well.

My experience with the F-75 so far is that it is one of those detectors that you can pick up and use right out of the box. Very intuitive, and yet, it could take years to "master". Options? YES...options galore, but all at your fingertips...very easy to figure out and navigate.

I love the audio modes. The audio, to me, has a sort of "analog" feel to it. What I mean is that there are little nuances to the audio, not just a simple "beep". You can set it to any number of tones... and the presets include even more comfort (according to your tastes and needs)...4 tones? (a lot like CZ-70, 3D, Coinstrike) so far my favorite mode. Dp (delta pitch) is a true multi-audio setting that reminds me of the explorer and DFX. A different tone is assigned to each and every ID numeral based on conductivity. It also has single tones, two tones and three tones. (as well as subsettings for each). I haven't had time to use each one of those in depth, but the flexibility is outstanding.

The process modes are also very cool. There's the default (dE) which seems to be the best balance of things overall for general coin shooting. You also have "PF" or plowed field mode, which seems to take into account a disturbed soil matrix. There's also "JE" (jewelry mode) which is HOT to small targets and mid-conductors (very, very sensitive)
Bottle Cap mode (bc) seems to do the trick for helping to ID those pesky rusty bottlecaps, but I found it also helps in areas where there's lots of small conductors in the ground (trashy old school yards) There seems to be a slight depth decrease in this mode, but according to my test garden, not much.

Can you tell I like this detector ? I'm sure there's something here not to like, but darned if I can spot it yet!

Please take into account, these are all my impressions and opinions. I ain't no expert... I just know what I like. I also know this: The ergonomics are so good the only pain my ol' arthritic body feels is from bending/stooping to dig all the goodies! I've dug lots of trash....but it was almost all on purpose! When the ID locks, and the confidence bar is high...it's a coin.

One thing I love? Can slaw in the local bark filled tot lot came up as "foil and tab" on the ID... no false nickels readings! I haven't ran across any of the pencil eraser bands yet to test. I did find one dumb little pulltab type (smaller than the usual) at a school yard that ID'd as a nickel... but thankfully, it's only 1 so far! There may be some other tricks that I haven't discovered yet that will help eliminate even those.

All in all, I'm looking forward to the adventure of getting to know this detector better and better. I'm very, very excited about the future of Fisher if the F-75 is any indication of the direction they are going.

hh'n

Mark in NC

 

[Sonny(IN)]

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[Anonymous]

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[captainpulltab]

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